About me

During my childhood and teenage years I was totally convinced that there was nothing as boring as reading a book, this was actually a general conception among students in the institutions I studied. Therefore I chose No One Writes to the Colonel written by Gabriel García Márquez when I was required to read a book in my Spanish class, and this text happened to be the shortest one I could find in my school library. Much to my disappointment, the experience only contributed to reinforce the idea of how unbearable this issue was to me, the book in question was tedious and almost offensive toward the end.

Once I finished my high school I had the cheek to enroll in a career related to literature; though I didn't stand the task of reading I had a much lower level of tolerance towards numbers, and most university programs include some sort of mathematical subject in their syllabus. The program of Linguistics caught my attention because of its languages, but not even then I intended to bother to read an entire book, so I just bought any literary analysis and summaries I could come across with in the local bookshops in order to meet my academic duties; thus I "read" Don Quixote, The Iliad and The Odyssey, among others. I kept doing this for a while until my Literature teacher asked us to read Anna Karenina of Leo Tolstoy; as usual I set out to buy the summary, but... to my dismay (that's what I thought at the time) I did not find it  at any bookstore in my city. That was back in the 90s when we didn't have the benefits of the Internet, leaving me no other choice but to buy the original version and read the whole thing up!

Upon complaining about my bad luck I resigned myself to read the book from cover to cover which had the size of a Bible! I forced myself to read a chapter a night, and some days later I realized that I was looking forward to reading time to get to know the new events of the plot.

To my surprise this book kept me quite entertained for the time being, not to mention that I understood and enjoyed a lot more my literature course and my teacher's explanations in class. After reading that book I decided to read another one, and then try another and then one more... since then I settled to buying or borrowing books in local libraries and carry them in my bag so I could read anywhere; until a few years later that one of my students gave me a CD containing 1,000 books I started reading on my PC. Later I saw another student reading on a digital reader and it seemed so practical and comfortable that soon after I got my own. Now I always carry a library in my pocket wherever I go.

Today, I believe that if I had given myself the opportunity to study math I surely would have liked it.

Edna María

Note: As a non-native speaker I might make some mistakes while writing; though I won't apologize for that I would surely appreciate any constructive comment.

16 comments:

  1. Edna Maria, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your journey to becoming a reader. I have loved to read since childhood and have remained grateful for the pastime. I have encountered some times when there was no time to read and am happy to be able, at this time, to look forward to a good book. I've also learned to give myself permission to lay aside a book that is mind numbing. Happy Reading!

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    1. Hi Valerie! Nowadays I enjoy reading greatly, though I do regret having wasted so much time until I finally realized how entertaining and enriching it is. You're fortunate of having allowed yourself to read since you were a child.
      Thanks for passing by ;)

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  2. So, my dear, Stefan Zweig -biographies-

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  3. Interesting to hear your story of becoming an avid reader, Edna. Technology has certainly made it easier for us to peruse and read a variety of literature without leaving our home! I've come to your site via the Literature Lovers group on Triberr and look forward to reading your posts.

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    1. Oh thanks Doreen, it took me a while to become a reader, but I'm a happy reader now;)
      I've followed you on Google+ and Pinterest, I love chocolate!

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  4. Hi Edna Maria,
    Your journey in finding your passion for reading is one that several people have. I think it takes time to find the right book, but once you have it, it opens the doors to several other books. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're right Danny, it all depends on what you read. That's exactly what I tell my students when they complain about having to read a book ;)

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  5. Is there a way to contact you about a possible book review?

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  6. Hi Edna -

    Do you enjoy children's series? Let me know. I would love a review...www.theadventuresofcaroline.com

    Elena

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    1. Sure I do, please write to me emuh15@hotmail.com

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  7. Edna,
    I'd like to send you information about my book, Miami Morning, for possible review. Should I use the email address above: emuh15@hotmail,com or another?

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    1. Hi Mceyes! Sure, write to me at emuh15@hotmail.com

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  8. Love hearing your story! Sometimes it takes the right book to get a person involved. My daughter HATED reading until she was about 10 or 11. One day she came to me announcing she was going to read The Hobbit. Not wanting to discourage her, I obviously agreed, but in my head I rolled my eyes. She finished it then went on to read the rest of the Lord of the Rings. From reluctant reader to Tolkien! It does happen. Thanks again for sharing your story! Very encouraging, and I hope it helps others.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Stephanie, at least when you're 10 or 11 you won't waste time as I did.
      All the best.

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